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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

One Century Complete: NU's Time to Face the Future Head High

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Named sources Context piece
  • Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), a major Indonesian Islamic organization, celebrated its centenary, marking 100 years of existence.
  • The organization is now looking to redefine its role in its second century, shifting from a guardian of local traditions to a driver of national and global civilization.
  • Key challenges for NU's future include human resource development, economic independence, technological advancement, and organizational professionalism, with a vision to promote moderate, inclusive, and peaceful Islam globally.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Islamic organization, has reached a significant milestone, celebrating its 100th anniversary. Founder Gus Miftah reflects on the organization's resilience through a century of challenges, from colonial rule to political upheavals, attributing its survival to deep roots in pesantren (Islamic boarding schools).

NU must redefine itself: from a guardian of local traditions to a driver of national-global civilization.

— Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman (Gus Miftah)Outlining the strategic shift for NU in its second century.

As NU embarks on its second century, the focus shifts from mere survival to proactive engagement. Gus Miftah outlines new challenges, including human resource development, economic disparities, digital technology, and the need for professional governance. The organization aims to transition from preserving local traditions to becoming a driving force for national and global civilization, promoting a moderate, inclusive, and peaceful interpretation of Islam.

The vision for NU's second century is ambitious: to be a global leader in moderate Islamic civilization and foster economic independence for its followers. This involves offering "Islam Nusantara", a brand of Islam that is friendly, tolerant, and integrates local culture, as a solution to global spiritual crises and conflicts. NU plans to deploy "Peace Envoys" to international forums, engaging in dialogue with universal language.

The world today is tired. The West is experiencing an acute spiritual crisis. The Middle East is tired of unending conflict. Extremism in the guise of religion is spreading everywhere.

— Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman (Gus Miftah)Describing the global context in which NU's message of peace is relevant.

To support this vision, NU must establish four strategic pillars. These include promoting global peace through a universal curriculum derived from Islam Nusantara, achieving economic self-sufficiency by empowering SMEs and optimizing endowments, and transforming education by producing not only religious scholars but also experts in AI, genetics, and digital economics, all while maintaining their connection to Islamic values.

NU has the best product that the world desperately needs: Islam Nusantara. Islam that is friendly, tolerant, and can marry faith with local culture without destroying each other.

— Miftah Maulana Habiburrahman (Gus Miftah)Highlighting the unique value of Islam Nusantara as a global solution.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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